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Can the baseline search and matching model quantitatively explain Okun's law?

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  • Cheuk Yin Ho

Abstract

Okun's Law is an empirically observed, negative relationship between changes in an economy's unemployment rate and its growth rate of output. The baseline search and matching model with stochastic labour productivity fails to match the Okun's coefficient, because it generates a too low unemployment volatility and a too high correlation between labour productivity and unemployment. The model is capable of matching the coefficient if it is extended with an addition of employment separation shocks plus a high calibrated value of nonmarket activities. This article also shows that changes in the stochastic properties of exogenous shocks could explain changes in the Okun's coefficient in the Great Moderation (1984-2007).

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  • Cheuk Yin Ho, 2014. "Can the baseline search and matching model quantitatively explain Okun's law?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(31), pages 3828-3835, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:46:y:2014:i:31:p:3828-3835
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2014.943884
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    1. Mutascu, Mihai & Sokic, Alexandre, 2021. "Okun's law in the US: New insights in time and frequency," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 207-222.

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